I'm sad...

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 11:02pm

So anyway...my second newspaper column came out on saturday and so far I haven't got ANY mail at all....it makes me sad.
so here's my column....yes, this IS shameless self-promotion, but seeing as this is a bww.com site, i figured you guys might understand it more!
*****************************************************
My column
So I guess it’s safe to say that my life is filled with drama. Not that that’s a bad thing.- in fact, I think I should be quite bored if it were any other way.
Drama is a big part of my life. No, not the “You’ll never guess who just broke up in the hallway” kind, the Broadway kind. I’ve grown up loving musicals and plays, and have learned many valuable lessons from the theatre.

Lesson One: In-Jokes are the best kind. You know…the random jokes that only you and your best friends know about. (If you’ve ever found yourself saying “It was really funny…I guess you had to be there.”). When you spend six-to-eight weeks with the same people, you start to get to know each other really well. Life-long friendships are formed and memories are created. The problem is that most jokes don’t really carry over too well into everyday life. “Obliaga Nino” may mean something to eight people at Alleman, and the name “Cynthia Matilda Finger” still brings a smile to my face, but for the rest of the world it just means strange looks and small shakes of the head.

Lesson Two: There’s no “I” in dedication. Well, actually there’s two but…anyway, the point is that there comes a time when you must choose between play practice and homework. A hard choice, yes, but one that must be made. (Okay, actually I just throw my homework in the car and hope that I have time during intermission to get it done…but don’t tell anyone.) But all kidding aside, drama breeds responsibility.

Lesson Three: Be Like A Boy Scout. Indeed! I have learned that there is nothing better than three-hour dance rehearsals in an old garage with a broken air conditioner. A side lesson here: always have a water bottle with you. Always. If you don’t, you will be sorry. Trust me. Drama has taught me that you learn to adapt well to your surroundings. Being involved in drama has also bred a sense of leadership in me, I think. I’m always first to jump at the chance to sweep the make-up room…(But that could be because I hate to carry furniture..)

Lesson Four: Variety is the Spice of Life. I am a prime example of this. There is no “normal” in theatre. To date, I have played: a nun, a hobbit…(don’t ask...I try not to remember), a…ahem.. “lady of ill repute”, a member of the Salvation Army, a newspaper reporter, a Broadway producer, and a woman in an extremely large hat. But, by far, my personal favorite was Ernestina Money. Good old Ernie. Table dancer extraordinaire and lover of orange shoes. That was a good time. In drama, you also meet many different types of people. Being exposed to so many different backgrounds and beliefs has really changed me. (For the better, I hope!)

Lesson Five: Learn to Love the Weekend. Right now, I am utterly exhausted. I have a research paper due, about ten tests to study for, lines to remember, a million different clubs and activities to plan for and participate in, and a thousand other little things like keeping my room clean (sorry, Mom), to worry about. But I don’t mind. I really don’t. I’ve come to the realization that, with the love of drama comes the love of the weekend. And sleep.

Lesson Six: Friends, and Other Assorted Things. With any activity comes making friends. But, I think in theatre there is a certain camaraderie that results from such long hours and hard work. Through the years, I’ve met so many wonderful people and experienced so many different things that it’s really hard to name them all. I guess that’s the best part…not to sound sappy, but the thing that makes the biggest impression of all on me is the true friendship and compassion that I have experienced from everyone I work and rehearse with every day. Thanks guys.